Genesco Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2008 Results

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesco Inc. today reported earnings before discontinued operations of $2.2 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended May 5, 2007, including primarily non-cash, pretax fixed asset impairment charges of $6.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, primarily related to the Company's previously announced plan to close up to 57 underperforming stores in urban markets. For the quarter ended April 29, 2006, earnings before discontinued operations were $10.7 million, or $0.41 per diluted share. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 6% to $335 million, compared to $315 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

Genesco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington said, "During the first quarter the Journeys Group posted solid sales growth and the positive momentum in the Johnston & Murphy and Dockers Footwear businesses continued. Hat World's business improved consistently throughout the quarter, with the successful transition to the new Major League Baseball on-field hat. However, the challenges in the urban market were once again a negative factor in our overall results for the quarter.

"As we previously announced, we plan to close or convert up to 57 underperforming urban stores, primarily in the Underground Station Group, that have been most negatively impacted by the downturn in that market. We remain confident that Underground Station is a viable concept and believe that closing these stores will provide us with a stronger platform on which to rebuild and improve that business.

"Net sales in the Journeys Group increased 10% to approximately $156 million and same store sales rose 3% in the first quarter, with a 7% increase in comparable footwear unit sales, which strengthens our confidence in our merchandising position for the summer and back to school season. Journeys' store growth plans remain on track, as we continue to target 50 to 60 new stores for fiscal 2008.

"Net sales at Journeys Kidz increased 35% to $11 million, same store sales rose 6% and comparable footwear unit sales were up 11% during the quarter. We continue to work toward a target of 40 new Kidz stores this fiscal year. We opened 11 new Shi by Journeys stores during the first quarter and ended the period with 23 Shi by Journeys stores in operation. Our target is to have 50 Shi stores open by the end of the fiscal year.

"Net sales in the Hat World Group increased 12% to approximately $79 million and same store sales declined 4%, compared to a decline of less than 1% in the first quarter last year. As expected, Hat World continued to be affected by the difficult urban market. Additionally, the quarter saw the planned transition to the new Major League Baseball on-field hat. This transition hurt sales early in the quarter, but the introduction of the new hat at the beginning of April sparked a positive sales trend that has continued into the second quarter. Based on both our positioning in the market and moderating comparisons, we expect an improving sales trend at Hat World through the balance of the year. We expect to open 100 to 105 new stores in the Hat World Group in Fiscal 2008.

"Net sales for the Underground Station Group, which includes the remaining Jarman stores, were $30 million and same store sales declined 22%. The weak urban market, ongoing softness in the athletic category and a tough Nike comparison negatively affected sales comparisons during the quarter. We expect improvements at Underground Station in the latter part of the year, as we continue to re-merchandise the stores towards more women's and casual products, as the absence of Nike products becomes a less significant factor in the year-over-year comparisons, and as overall comparisons moderate as we mark the anniversary of the onset of the urban market downturn.

"Johnston & Murphy Group's net sales increased 5% to approximately $46 million in the first quarter. Wholesale sales rose 3%, same store sales for the shops were up 3% and operating margin increased 330 basis points to 9.7%. Johnston & Murphy's footwear line continues to gain customer acceptance. At the same time, we continue to see strength in all our non-footwear categories. Johnston & Murphy's momentum remains strong.

"First quarter sales of Licensed Brands increased 25% to approximately $24 million, after a 37% gain for the same period last year. According to The NPD Group's Retail Tracking Service, Dockers Footwear was the #1 ranked brand for men's dress casual footwear in national chains and shoe chains for the 12 months ended March 2007."

The Company also updated its guidance for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2008. It now expects to report net sales of $1.59 billion and earnings per diluted share of $2.37 to $2.40 for fiscal 2008, including charges of $0.35 related to the store closing program. The Company's fiscal 2008 guidance does not include the impact of any costs associated with the Company's review of strategic alternatives, which the Company announced today.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the Company's sales and earnings outlook and all other statements not addressing solely historical facts or present conditions. Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements. A number of factors could cause differences. These include uncertainty regarding the effect or outcome of the Company's decision to explore strategic alternatives, weakness in consumer demand for products sold by the Company, fashion trends that affect the sales or product margins of the Company's retail product offerings, changes in the timing of holidays or in the onset of seasonal weather affecting period to period sales comparisons, changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers, disruptions in product supply or distribution, further unfavorable trends in foreign exchange rates and other factors affecting the cost of products, and competition in the Company's markets. Additional factors that could affect the Company's prospects and cause differences from expectations include the ability to open, staff and support additional retail stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels and to renew leases in existing stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels, the ability to negotiate acceptable lease terminations and otherwise to execute the store closing plan on schedule and at expected expense levels, variations from expected pension-related charges caused by conditions in the financial markets, and the outcome of litigation and environmental matters involving the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

The Company's live conference call on May 31, 2007, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) may be accessed through the Company's internet website, http://www.genesco.com/. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software.

Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear, headwear and accessories in more than 2,050 retail stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, Johnston & Murphy, Underground Station, Hatworld, Lids, Hat Shack, Hat Zone, Head Quarters and Cap Connection, and on internet websites http://www.journeys.com/, http://www.journeyskidz.com/ , http://www.undergroundstation.com/, http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/, http://www.lids.com/, http://www.hatworld.com/, and http://www.lidscyo.com/. The Company also sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed Dockers brand. Additional information on Genesco and its operating divisions may be accessed at its website http://www.genesco.com/.

GENESCO INC. Consolidated Earnings Summary Three Months Ended May 5, April 29, In Thousands 2007 2006 Net sales $334,651 $315,018 Cost of sales 162,807 153,649 Selling and administrative expenses 159,073 141,866 Restructuring and other, net 6,595 109 Earnings from operations 6,176 19,394 Interest expense, net 2,402 1,914 Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations 3,774 17,480 Income tax expense 1,571 6,814 Earnings from continuing operations 2,203 10,666 Provision for discontinued operations, net - (189) Net Earnings $2,203 $10,477 Earnings Per Share Information Three Months Ended May 5, April 29, In Thousands (except per share amounts) 2007 2006 Preferred dividend requirements $ 64 $ 64 Average common shares - Basic EPS 22,391 23,042 Basic earnings per share: Before discontinued operations $0.10 $0.46 Net earnings $0.10 $0.45 Average common and common equivalent shares - Diluted EPS 26,804 27,436 Diluted earnings per share: Before discontinued operations $0.10 $0.41 Net earnings $0.10 $0.40 GENESCO INC. Consolidated Earnings Summary Three Months Ended May 5, April 29, In Thousands 2007 2006 Sales: Journeys Group $155,921 $141,500 Underground Station Group 29,810 39,956 Hat World Group 78,844 70,688 Johnston & Murphy Group 46,294 44,031 Licensed Brands 23,529 18,799 Corporate and Other 253 44 Net Sales $334,651 $315,018 Operating Income (Loss): Journeys Group $10,817 $13,151 Underground Station Group (2,168) 2,405 Hat World Group 2,652 6,007 Johnston & Murphy Group 4,470 2,823 Licensed Brands 3,079 1,729 Corporate and Other* (12,674) (6,721) Earnings from operations 6,176 19,394 Interest, net 2,402 1,914 Earnings before income taxes from continuing operations 3,774 17,480 Income tax expense 1,571 6,814 Earnings from continuing operations 2,203 10,666 Provision for discontinued operations, net - (189) Net Earnings $2,203 $10,477 *Includes $6.6 million of other charges in the first quarter of Fiscal 2008 of which $6.3 million is asset impairments related to underperforming stores, primarily in the Underground Station Group, and $0.3 million for lease terminations and $0.1 million of other charges in the first quarter of Fiscal 2007 for asset impairments. GENESCO INC. Consolidated Balance Sheet May 5, April 29, In Thousands 2007 2006 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $13,729 $34,719 Accounts receivable 23,586 22,742 Inventories 282,419 247,773 Other current assets 43,029 30,192 Total current assets 362,763 335,426 Property and equipment 225,702 197,546 Other non-current assets 172,136 157,094 Total Assets $760,601 $690,066 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Accounts payable $85,495 $90,541 Other current liabilities 50,179 56,568 Total current liabilities 135,674 147,109 Long-term debt 132,250 106,250 Other long-term liabilities 86,789 74,498 Shareholders' equity 405,888 362,209 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $760,601 $690,066 GENESCO INC. Retail Units Operated -- Three Months Ended May 5, 2007 Balance Acquisi- 01/28/06 tions Open Conv Close Journeys Group 761 96 0 4 Journeys 710 61 0 3 Journeys Kidz 50 24 0 1 Shi by Journeys 1 11 0 0 Underground Station Group 229 11 0 17 Underground Station 180 11 3 1 Jarman Retail 49 0 (3) 16 Hat World Group 641 49 104 0 9 Johnston & Murphy Group 142 13 0 7 Shops 107 7 0 5 Factory Outlets 35 6 0 2 Total Retail Units 1,773 49 224 0 37 Balance Balance 02/03/07 Open Conv Close 5/05/2007 Journeys Group 853 33 0 2 884 Journeys 768 11 0 2 777 Journeys Kidz 73 11 0 0 84 Shi by Journeys 12 11 0 0 23 Underground Station Group 223 1 0 1 223 Underground Station 193 1 1 0 195 Jarman Retail 30 0 (1) 1 28 Hat World Group 785 26 0 2 809 Johnston & Murphy Group 148 4 0 0 152 Shops 109 3 0 0 112 Factory Outlets 39 1 0 0 40 Total Retail Units 2,009 64 0 5 2,068 Constant Store Sales Three Months Ended May 5, April 29, 2007 2006 Journeys Group 3% 1% Underground Station Group -22% -3% Underground Station -23% -2% Jarman Retail -14% -9% Hat World Group -4% -1% Johnston & Murphy Group 4% 2% Shops 3% 3% Factory Outlets 6% 0% Total Constant Store Sales -2% 0%